The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-15
CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE
LOSES IT'S FORCE AND POWER
POR GOOD EFFECTS
II the ChiId Of GOD Mixes with and
Becomes OF she world
Worldly.

The Rev. A. W. Lamar preached q
sermon last Sunday which is deserv-
ing OF more than passing notice, in.
asmuch ss IL specially referred to that
noble phase OF Christian character
self abnegation for the good Of others.
In exhorting his Cock to hold them
selves alooi and unspotted from the
world, he pointed out that while at
tending theateTs and balls might not
possibly be q means OF a spiritual de-
cline In Themselves, or the act OF visit
ing such places wrong per se, yet he
held that II the church removed all re-
strictions frem its members, 1t would
still be their duty as Christian men
and women to abstain from such
worldly pursuits. First, for the rea.
ton that the spiritually minded child
of God with the high aim that inspires
his life, with the knowledge that this
Ia but as training school to higher,
holier, more blisBiul existence, needs
no such diversion; and secondly, on
the unselfsh and nobie principle that
TO mibgle with the world is to be OF
the world, In the eyes OF the world.
The sinner fails to recognize the child
OF God as one set apart, as lamp In
his path as guide on the highway to
heaven, and hence seeing no differ
ence between his own life and that OF
the protesting Christian, he deems it
unnecessary to seek the way OF sal
walton. BY thus Identifying themselves
with the pleasures of the fashionable
world, tbs reverend gentleman pointed
ont, they became stumbling blocks,
and in this connection, and also in the
example many church member set,
by what he, perhaps, considers harms
lose, wine drinking He quoted those
words Of Paul, which contain the very
essence OF Christian ethics, and fu,l
embodiment OF all that is implied in
the commandment to love thy neigh
Dor as myself. "But take heed lest
by any means this liberty OF yours be-
come q stumbling block to them that
are weak" / Cor, SO. Wherefore
il meat make my brother to offend, |
will eat no flesh while the world
slandeth, lest / make my brother to
offend. / Cor, 8.l3. at Is good
neither to eat flesh, nor drink wine,
nor anything whereby thy brother
stumbleth, or is offended, or is made
weak" Romano, 1921. This Is but
very brief synopsis OF the fermon,
which was replete with good sense
and advice, given in charity and love.
He pointed out the beauties OF q con-
sistent Christian life, and showed how,
when church members grum-
bled, scolded and lied they
brought contempt and ridi-
cule on the church, hence the
necessity OF the true Christian leading
such life before men as would single
him from the world as one worthy OF
emulation. It will be observed that
while Mr.. Lamar deprecated dancing
aud theater going among protested
Christians, he did not, as 30 man y
preachers do, condemn these things
as ia themselves essentially wrong,
isther, IL seemed to me, holding to the
idea Of the great teacher, Paul: Let
us not therefore judge one another any
more, hut Judge this rather that no
msn put stumbling block or an oc-
ca ion to fall in his brothers way.
For what have i TO do to judge them
also that are without? Do not ye
Judge them that are within2 But them
| that are without God jndReh."
OCCASIONAL CHURCHaoER."
MARCH IL, 1887.